St. Petersburg City Council Meeting - November 13, 2025

The City of St. Petersburg convened for its regular meeting on November 13, 2025, starting with an invocation thanking God for protection during hurricane season and a pledge of allegiance. The Council unanimously approved the agenda and consent calendar. The session featured extensive public testimony regarding the Gas Plant redevelopment process and affordable housing needs, followed by multiple awards recognizing excellence in public service, policing, youth achievements, and park accreditation. Key legislative items included the scheduling of 2026 elections and several ordinance amendments. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a debate over the City-owned Land policy and the future of the historic Gas Plant, with Council members urging a Request for Proposals (RFP) process versus the Administration's preference for continuing the unsolicited bid process with an extended timeline.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved all routine items on the consent agenda without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Perry G. Washington: Expressed anger regarding an arrest on his own property by city police and a dispute over a neighbor's fence. He positioned himself as a civil rights activist with 40 years of experience and demanded accountability and an investigation into city procedures.
• Ron Danner: Stated that the Mayor cannot legally initiate or extend the 30-day process to solicit gas plant proposals without a Council determination of fair value, stating this is "not legal." He argued that proceeding without an appraisal and contract exposes the city to lawsuits and violates statute 163.38.
• Robin David (on behalf of League of Women Voters): Expressed that the current proposal is "not compliant" with the Intown Redevelopment Plan. They argued that the city must "plan first" by hiring expert master planners to define public frameworks before soliciting proposals, rather than delegating core responsibilities to a developer.
• Ben Winder: Expressed full support for a goal of averaging at least 500 affordable housing units for those making 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) or less over the next five years. He positioned that public dollars should not subsidize housing for those making up to 120% AMI, noting a glut of supply in that bracket.
• Oscar Banks: Expressed strong support for the city prioritizing housing for the most vulnerable (80% AMI or less), stating that faith leaders must stand for justice and that public funds are needed for those who cannot afford to live in the city.
• Lewis Ortiz: Expressed concern that rent increases in affordable income housing are forcing tenants out. He argued that the city needs to fight to keep current residents, stating that median income increases driven by new luxury developments are pushing up rents for affordable housing.
• Phyllis Young (on behalf of FAST): Expressed that the current disposition process for the Gas Plant is "not meeting legal requirements" because there is no approved Community Redevelopment Plan (CRP) with contracts. She argued that the city must obtain an independent appraisal before disposing of property.
• Zandale: Expressed that the homeless epidemic is fueled by a lack of affordable housing and drug issues. He argued that city revenue coming from tickets and fees is unfair to the poor and vulnerable, stating the city needs to prioritize taking care of people rather than revenue generation.

Discussion Items

• Gas Plant Redevelopment Process: Councilmember Floyd introduced a resolution demanding an RFP with a 90-day submission period rather than the proposed 30-day unsolicited bid process. Administration (City Development Administrator James Corpus) stated they would not issue an RFP, believing a general consensus exists for jobs, housing, and economic development, but agreed to extend the total notification period to 105 days. Councilmembers Driscoll, Hanowitz, and Harding expressed skepticism about the unsolicited bid process, arguing that an RFP would provide better transparency, ensure the city steers the process, and allow for an independent appraisal before negotiations begin. Councilmember Fix Sanders expressed concern that extending the timeline without a master plan plan neglects the descendants of the Gas Plant era, while Councilmember Gabbard committed to organizing a ULI Tampa Bay study to provide unbiased guidance.
• Affordable Housing Goals: A referral was made to the Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee to discuss a resolution setting a goal of 500 affordable housing units annually for those earning 80% AMI or below. Councilmembers Harding and Fix Sanders expressed reservations about setting a hard "creation" number without a detailed funding plan or partnership with community groups like FAST.
• Mahaffey Theater Management: Administration reported that negotiations with Big Three failed because their counter-proposal effectively doubled the city's contribution. Consequently, the city will issue an RFP for management services in December. Councilmember Driscoll and others requested that the new RFP explicitly prioritize the Florida Orchestra to ensure their contractual obligations are met, while others expressed concern about the facility's need for a major renovation ($7 million in urgent repairs) and whether a new management partner can handle such a large capital improvement plan.
• E-Bike Safety Chief Holloway: Reported that enforcement and marketing campaigns have reduced fatalities but accidents remain high. He noted a strategy of education, enforcement, and reaching out to e-bike retailers to ensure buyers understand that modified e-bikes speed over 25 mph are treated as motorcycles.
• 2026 Municipal Elections: Discussed and approved an ordinance to align 2026 primary and general election dates with state election dates.
• Police Retirement Systems: Discussed and approved amendments to create staggered elections for trustee positions and allow members in good standing to be elected as full-time police or firefighter trustees.

Key Outcomes

• Approval: Agenda and Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
• Approval: Ordinance amulating the qualifying period for 2026 municipal elections (E1) passed unanimously.
• Approval: Ordinance amending the Police Officers Retirement System (E2) passed unanimously.
• Approval: Ordinance amending the Firefighters Retirement System (E3) passed unanimously.
• Approval: Ordinance concerning municipal government access channel operations (E4) passed unanimously.
• Approval: Public utility easement granted to Duke Energy (J1) unanimously.
• Approval: First Church of the Nazarene designated as a locally historic landmark (J2) unanimously.
• Approval: Referral to HLUT Committee to discuss affordable housing goals (G1) passed unanimously.
• Rejection: Motion to request an update on the Footlocker financial incentives deal (G2) failed 4-4 (No motion to approve).
• Resolution: Resolution G3 requesting an RFP for the Gas Plant was not moved/forwarded after Administration confirmed they would not issue an RFP but would extend the timeline; the discussion focused on the need for a ULI study and an independent appraisal.
• Approval: Resolution authorizing $140 million in public utility revenue bonds (H1) passed unanimously.
• Awards: Distinguished Citizen Award presented to Jim Bays (Stewards of Urban Lakes); Community-Oriented Policing Program of the Year to St. Pete PD District 2; awards to the St. Pete Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team for winning in Italy; APWA Recertification for Public Works and Parks & Rec; Telly Awards for St. Pete TV; Citizen of the Year for sanitation driver Victor Gillis; Memorial Tribute to former Mayor David J. Fisher.